Thumbnail History:

This property was the family home and practice of the three generations of doctors in the town - Drs. Barker. In the late 1920s Ernest James bought it and built a large seed and corn mill in the grounds. This was completely destroyed by fire in June 1960. Now used by estate agents and a variety of other professionals.

Description of property:

From Listed Building records: House, now offices. 18th century, with 20th century front. Slate roof, modillion eaves cornice, red brick front with stone moulded architraves and channelled quoins, band at first floor and top of plinth. Three storeys. Three glazing bar sashes, central door under stone portico of two Doric columns and pilasters, frieze with triglyphe and moulded cornice. Interior: 18th century panelling and staircase to hall and ground floor rooms.

Photo Gallery:

uhs-008 c1935

img_0597

p1280840

- 19 High Street, Kennet House, Apr 2010

- 19 High Street, Kennet House, c1933

- 19 High Street, Kennet House, Jan 2007

Timeline:

<1470 Sir Walter Hungerford, previously Walter Farley.

c1470 (NH) Robert Tukhyll junior. 1¼ burgage late Sir Walter Hungerford, previously Walter Farley q.r. 10d (+ in Sandon Fee, John Tuckhyll holds certain lands in Sandon called Farleys late Sir Walter Hungerford 6s 8d). These two holdings, both in the Tuckhyll family and both deriving via Hungerford from Farley, have a combined q.r. of 7s 4d.

1552 (NH) John Clydesdale holds 1 tenement with a parcel of land called Farleys land late in tenure of Thomas Togell and now in tenure of William Cannye, q.r. 7s 4d. [Cannye is not a name which occurs elsewhere in Hungerford, but a William Cannon, King's tenant (i.e. not a freeholder) is listed in the 1552 muster]

1616 (NH) F of F (Berks) 14 Jas I Mich.: where the property is described as a messuage, garden, orchard, with 24 acres land, 2 acres meadow, and common pasturage in Hungerford, Sandon Fee, and Woodmarsh.

1617 (NH) Will of John Austin of Shalbourne Eastcourt yeoman (7 Dec) probate 8 May 1618, bequeaths this and other property to his daughter Elizabeth. On 14 Jan 1617/18 Elizabeth married Vincent Smith junior in Hungerford by special licence.

1753-61 (QR) Mr John Sherwood for his house, q.r. 2s 6d And for his house late Webb's, q.r. 2d [=GWR]

1774-80 (QR) Thomas Knight for house late Sherwoods, q.r. 2s 6d And for his house late Webbs, q.r. 2d [=GWR].1781 (CL) illegible, crossed out first entry ? Wm L…..1795 Thomas Knight for house late Shermans 2s 6d And for his house late Webbs, q.r. 2d [=GWR].1805 (QR) Peter Knight for house late Thomas Knight 2s 6d And for his house late Webbs, later James Hall, q.r. 2d [=GWR].

Late 1920s Ernest Frank James (lived in flat above with his wife, James offices below). Later moved to west side of Salisbury Road (where Crooks are now [1985]) Ernest James had started milling in Chilton Mill c.1910, later moved to use the old Platt Brewery premises behind Manor House, before buying Kennet House in 1931.1932 (T&M Register) Ernest Frank James (owner & occupier)1932 "Great Western Mills" opened.1932 (QR) James "house formerly Thomas Knight's afterwards Peter Knights", q.r. 6d.1939 (Blacket's) E.F. James (James & Co.)1947-56 (CL) Ernest Frank James, Kennet House.22 June 1960 "Great Western Mills" destroyed by fire.

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